New dies and new papers

Sorry for the delay in publishing this, WordPress has been reminding me for two weeks. I’ve just not felt up to getting photos sorted.

We stayed at my mum’s house on Saturday night which was a nice treat (I got a cup of tea made for me when I got up!). I knew that I had a parcel from Create and Craft waiting at home, but wasn’t sure what, having been a bit overzealous recently with my credit card. I had a play on Pinterest before I went to sleep, looking at idea for the products it might be.

When we got home, I resisted opening my parcel and fed the cat. Temptation loomed, but I put the washing in and put away the overnight bag, then armed with a cup of tea, I opened it.

Today’s present was a 12×12 and an 8×8 paper pad called The Magic of Christmas by Dovecraft and a selection of 7 dies to complement it. The papers are lovely traditional festive colours and imagery, including tartans, stags, Santas and snowflakes galore, and the dies include a stag, a snowflake, bells, music notes and a Noel sentiment.

I had seen previews and temptations of this paper collection on Kathy Crafts TV’s blog and I thought they looked really warm and friendly, made me want mulled wine and a mince pie while I crafted. I usually like Trimcraft designs, and the quality is always excellent, so I was happy to buy as soon as I saw the price without watching any live demos which is really unusual for me.

At first when I opened my parcel I opened the 8×8 paper pack and spread them over the living room floor. That’s normal if they’re not attached. I then sit and smell them, stroking the pages. His Lordship finds it very odd, and highly amusing, but hey.

Inspiration refused to come. I stroked, shuffled pages to compare and contrast patterns, hummed Christmas carols and sipped tea. I picked up the dies and put them down. I went to the loo. I put the washing out… Procrastination won.

Then, when sorting through a pile of stamped images and toppers I’ve got ready for when I want a quick make, I found a tag a friend had sent me. It was a clever interactive tag, with a little pocket which holds a smaller piece of card, both attached by a ribbon.

Oooh. I can do this!

I created a pocket tag of my own. I used the new tartan snowflake paper for the pocket, a piece of Kanban matt gold card for the insert and twine to join the two. I decorated my tag with an image of Santa cut from one of the other papers using my Scan’n’Cut (so proud that I’ve finally learned how to use the direct cut function!) and the Noel sentiment, cut from a piece of the tartan paper.

When I had die cut the sentiment, I decided to use the negative as well, and to create a full card I also cut the stag from the same piece. I now had a tag, a stag, and the negatives. Along came inspiration.

As you can seen, I’ve been busy. I’ve not touched several of the lovely designs yet. Some are so intricate and beautiful that I don’t want to cut into them, others are ideal for backgrounds and matting and layering and I just haven’t yet used them, but they will get their day.

Update: after a second day creating, I’ve now used some of every single beautiful paper. I’ve accidentally muddled the photos and can’t remember which cards were when

The negative from the stag and Noel worked really well on this lovely music sheet paper

Using the cut stag and Noel. These papers layer so well together

A cute little spinner, with an image cut from one of the beautiful papers that overwhelmed me slightly

I was trying to just use the kit for this, so made the sentiment from one of the papers. I’ve added a single red bead and a piece of twine from my stash

I love the matt gold cardstock from Kanban, it keeps the vintage feel of these papers

I like the concept of this, but the actual finished product isn’t a favourite

A gift tag. Tge sweet little angel was cut from one of the papers

This topper was part of one of the papers which i cut out. I’m really pleased with how these Spellbinders dies frame it

Despite how simple this ius it took me ages. So much measuring, going wrong and remeasuring

Based on one of Kathy crafts TV’s fab demos. I love when Christmas products don’t have to be festive

Fantastic makes! I hate it when inspiration won’t come! Some days I have so many ideas I can’t craft fast enough! And then other days, just nothing!!! These are all lovely! You must be pleased you’ve got ahead on your festive makes!

Thank you. I’m feeling less daunted by Christmas makes. I’ve good a stall booked at a local hospice’s Christmas fayre and wanted a good range for them. I think I might make some more of these tags, I like them